The World of Video and Access 24/7

We were recently blessed with a significant grant from the Target Corporation that provides the possibility of virtual field trips for our students along with a number of other enhancements.

For quite some time now, we have provided podcasts of our Board meetings, that a number of you have referred to and referenced.  In addition, since October we have had available (and will continue to have available) videocasts of our regular Board meetings.  In addition to the issues of public access and transparency, these options are provided to you through STUDENT assistance -- which provides great career training.  We have students at a number of our high schools that are engaged in providing the filming and production of these Board videos.

We hope you are enjoying your access to these options.

Cafeteria Food!!

There continues to be much said in the media about how school lunches are not nutritious and there is a need by rule, regulation, or law to require more.  In fact recently, there were new guidelines that are asking for more fruits, vegetables, and grains -- all of which are good.

However, I have to say that I couldn't be more pleased with the kinds of meals and nutrition provided by the RUSD food service division.  They continually survey students and then craft responses to meet the student taste needs -- always keeping in mind the nutritional aspects.  I was involved in one of those sessions lately.  The District Chef (yes, with over 30,000 meals a day, we have a chef!) along with other food service folks were responding to questions and providing information.  They brought samples (food!!) to illustrate what they were offering -- most impressive though was the poster that provided appealing descriptions of what was offered along with clear nutritional information (including calories, sodium, fiber, and fat content).

I don't know about you -- but I don't think this is like any cafeteria food I have experienced before!!  Check out the poster yourself.

Coming Issues?

To continue with the directional issues (for public education) we are hearing about in Sacramento -- what else is out there on the horizon (but less directly related to budget)?  Obviously, this is all speculative, but the pundits and politicos in Sacramento seem to think that the hot issues that will gain traction and discussion in the next year will include:

• Public employee retirement systems and reconciling the budget and compensation issues involved.
• Resolving some the issues and equity issues with what is currently being called "Open Enrollment" schools (formerly, Persistently Low Achieving Schools) -- all of which is part of the Race To The Top legislative legacy.  The reality is that how the list was created and what is now being required of these schools doesn't make a lot of sense.
• "Teacher reform" issues that are really about taking a new look at "evaluations" of all of us, based on some of the press and allegations from the LA Times over the past year.
• The issue of "bullying" at schools -- particularly in regard to sexual orientation.
• Tweaks and twists regarding "on-line" education that have very little definition at this point -- other than the notion that it is functional part of expected system in this century.

So what do you think will be addressed from a state perspective in the next 12 months?

A Big Day for California

Yesterday, was a big day for Californians as newly elected Governor Brown brought out his solutions and plans to address the multi-Billion deficit/budget problem.  At 11 am yesterday, he held a rather short press conference about his plans including his 12 page PowerPoint presentation.  From my view the comments were blue sky, big concept, and casual -- though frankly lots better than what we had hoped for.  It was certainly nice to hear the Governor say that schools have "borne a disproportionate share of budget reductions in recent years."

So here are the basic specifics:

• A 50-50 proposition to resolve the $25 Billion deficit -- that is 1/2 in program cuts and 1/2 in increased tax revenues (through a 5 year extension of existing taxes).
• A June ballot measure that would allow 2/3 of the voters to determine to extend existing taxes that would otherwise cease at the end of the year (June).  However, this will require Legislative authorization (2/3) within the next 60 days.
• General flexibility measures for education would be continued for an additional two years (including class size reduction).
• Our deferrals from the state will continue and be expanded.

Questions that remain (and there are many) will be resolved in the coming days but some of the most interesting would be:

• Will there be sufficient Republican support to get this on the ballot?  Some have already indicated that such an approval would be a violation of the "no-tax" pledge that was signed.
• Will the voters agree to a tax extension vs agree to further reductions in State services?  If they don't extend the current taxes, then:
• there is an additional $2 Billion loss to K-12 education, and
• a $10 Billion hole that must be resolved with program cuts (that arguable will include public education as well).
• While there is projected $12.5 Billion in cuts to state programs, will they really occur?  Many have NOT occurred in the past several years -- other than in education.
• (While this is NOT our issue, as we have  basically agreed to NO layoffs for the 11-12 school year) -- The proposed ballot issue won't be determined until June -- and school district layoffs have to occur in March / May prior to June -- what should a district do? 

As indicated above there was a lack of specificity and lots of questions still be answered.  I am sure in the coming weeks we find out lots more -- from multiple parties.  Further, we will begin to see what Legislators and others actually do with these proposals.  Also weighing in on the issue included the Sacramento Bee as well as many other media sources around the state.

Déjà Vu All Over Again?

As the new year and new administration in Sacramento begins, one wonders what is in store for us in the world of public education.  A piece of that puzzle is the State Board of Education (SBOE) that is fully appointed by the Governor when vacancies appear.  As there are vacancies on the immediate horizon (actually a majority of the Board is coming up for appointment), who will fill the roles and what will it mean?

The Sacramento politicos seem clear that Governor Brown will appoint Michael Kirst, Professor Emeritus of Stanford.  It is also speculated that Kirst will be the President of the SBOE under Brown's administration.  All of this is interesting, though not surprising, as Kirst also served on the SBOE and as President during Brown's earlier administration.  My understanding is that Kirst also served in an advisory role on education issues during the recent Gubernatorial campaign.

The other name that is being "floated" is that of former State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), Bill Honig (1983-93).  In addition to his state office, Bill Honig has continued to be involved in education with his advocacy for student literacy and reduction of barriers of such.

Coming from a SBOE that has been very pro-charter (and charter-friendly) in their approach to challenges of public education, these potential appointments, their support for public education, and their ultimate impact on public education in California could be most interesting.  At the same time, I know that there is a desire with the current SPI to cooperate and coordinate with the SBOE -- in fact, the notion is that the Governor, SPI, and SBOE are all of the same party and have the same public education interests in mind.  The Governor-elect has also indicated that he will not fill the post of Secretary of Education.  Time will tell and it should be an interesting 6 months from January to July as this begins to reveal itself.

Budget Strategy?

We are all anticipating the first official direction of our new Governor on Monday, January 10th (projected) with his release of his January budget proposal for the 2011-12 school and budget year.  While the numbers are staggering and so out-of-balance that it is hard to know how bad off we are in California, it is clear that the Governor and Legislature has a $28-30 BILLION problem to solve.  Not wanting to live with this budget albatross for the next 4 years, I am sure that Governor Brown will do all that he can to ameliorate the problem early.

He has indicated in multiple settings that the January proposal will not be optimistic and in fact, has suggested that we all be "sitting down" when we see it for the first time.  It seems that the strategy is to provide us all with a dose of reality regarding the severity and size of the problem.  So what happens after January and we head to the spring when budget-building gets serious?  The common theory (in Sacramento) is that the Governor will be advocating for revenue enhancements (i.e., tax increases) to offset the horrific impacts of trying to reconcile a budget deficit of $30 Billion.  The high-risk strategy is that when we see how big the problem is we will all agree (at least 2/3 of us) to increased taxing capacity -- which would "buy-back" the budget and service reductions.

As to public schools across the State of California, there are several possible impacts -- based on the apparent budget strategy:

• As we in K-12 education are about 40% of the California budget, we will take reductions like the many other departments and services throughout the state.  As one very veteran and influential staff person said, "the budget you have right now, is the best you will have for the next two years."  He thought we could begin to see things begin to improve in 2014.
• An attempt to move the funding of schools back to a more localized approach (rather than state) where local citizens can determine how they would like to support their local schools.  This also has the impact of making more of the $30 Billion problem a local problem rather than a state problem.

So from all that I can gather from our multiple Sacramento and State sources -- we need to be prepared to batten down the hatches and prepare for the storm ahead -- always with the realization that there is always the calm on the other side of the storm.

Highly Valued Work

So as the year starts and there certainly are questions and anticipation about what the Governor will do on the January budget proposal.  There are sometimes questions and aspersions about us as educators, teachers, and district staff.  As we start this year, I am reminded that, while there are many other noble professions and contributions, I know of none better than that of the education of our youth. 

As a reminder of this, I will share not my words but those of Michael Josephson of Character Counts.  I believe he captures the best representation of what is going on in classrooms everyday with our teachers, principals, and support staff.  AND it takes them all.  Thank you!!